Universal Defibrillation Electrode Pad Assembly for Adult and Pediatric Subjects

ABSTRACT

A defibrillation electrode pad includes an electrode section and a CPR administration section. The electrode section and the CPR administration section are positioned in the defibrillation electrode pad relative to each other such that the CPR administration section is located above a sternum of an adult subject and the electrode section is located in a position appropriate for the administration of a defibrillation shock to the adult subject when the defibrillation electrode pad is oriented in a first orientation and such that the CPR administration section is located above a sternum of a pediatric subject and the electrode section is located in a position appropriate for the administration of a defibrillation shock to the pediatric subject when the defibrillation electrode pad is oriented in a second orientation different from the first orientation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/494,084, titled “UNIVERSAL DEFIBRILLATION ELECTRODE PAD ASSEMBLY FORADULT AND PEDIATRIC SUBJECTS”, filed on Sep. 23, 2014 which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/884,264, titled “UNIVERSAL DEFIBRILLATION ELECTRODE PAD ASSEMBLYFOR ADULT AND PEDIATRIC SUBJECTS,” filed on Sep. 30, 2013, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to systems andmethods for the treatment of individuals experiencing cardiac distress.

Discussion of Related Art

Treatment of a subject experiencing cardiac distress may generallyinclude clearing the subject's airway, assisting the subject'sbreathing, chest compressions, and defibrillation.

Defibrillation can be performed with the use of an automatic externaldefibrillator (AED). Most automatic external defibrillators are actuallysemi-automatic external defibrillators (SAED), which require a clinicianto press a start button, after which the defibrillator analyzes thesubject's condition and provides a shock to the subject if theelectrical rhythm is shockable and waits for user intervention beforeany subsequent shock. Fully automatic external defibrillators, on theother hand, do not wait for user intervention before applying subsequentshocks. As the term is used herein, automatic external defibrillators(AED) include semi-automatic external defibrillators (SAED).

Defibrillation shocks are typically delivered to a subject from adefibrillator through a set of defibrillation electrodes placed on thebody of the subject. The electrodes are placed in electricalcommunication with the skin of the subject in locations that will directan electrical charge supplied through the electrodes through the heartof the subject.

In some instances, one or more defibrillation electrodes may be providedin a defibrillation electrode pad assembly including a CPRadministration area. The CPR administration area may be a portion of thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly through which a first respondermay apply chest compressions to a subject during the administration ofCPR. The CPR administration area may be displaced from defibrillationelectrodes in the defibrillation electrode pad assembly.

It is often desirable to arrange the defibrillation electrodes and CPRadministration area in a defibrillation electrode pad assembly such thatthe relative positioning of the defibrillation electrodes and the CPRadministration area provide for each to be located on an appropriatelocation of a subject when the defibrillation electrode pad assembly isapplied to the subject. For subjects of different sizes, for example,pediatric subjects versus adult subjects, it has in the past beennecessary to provide differently sized defibrillation electrode padassemblies such that the distance between the defibrillation electrodesand the CPR administration area allows for each to be located properlyon the differently sized subjects.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a defibrillationelectrode pad. The defibrillation electrode pad comprises an electrodesection and a CPR administration section mechanically coupled to theelectrode section. The electrode section and the CPR administrationsection are positioned in the defibrillation electrode pad relative toeach other such that the CPR administration section is located above asternum of an adult subject and the electrode section is located in aposition appropriate for the administration of a defibrillation shock tothe adult subject when the defibrillation electrode pad is oriented in afirst orientation and such that the CPR administration section islocated above a sternum of a pediatric subject and the electrode sectionis located in a position appropriate for the administration of adefibrillation shock to the pediatric subject when the defibrillationelectrode pad is oriented in a second orientation different from thefirst orientation. In some embodiments, the first orientation is rotatedby approximately 180 degrees from the second orientation.

In some embodiments, the position appropriate for the administration ofa defibrillation shock to the adult subject is an apex position on thechest of the adult subject. The position appropriate for theadministration of a defibrillation shock to the pediatric subject may bea lateral position on the pediatric subject.

In some embodiments, the defibrillation electrode pad further comprisesindicia of a proper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad foran adult subject and a proper orientation of the defibrillationelectrode pad for a pediatric subject. The defibrillation electrode padmay further comprise a CPR assistance device configured to providefeedback regarding the frequency and/or depth of chest compressionsapplied to the subject during the administration of CPR to the subject.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method oftreating a subject experiencing cardiac distress. The method comprisesobtaining a universal defibrillation electrode pad and a defibrillator,determining a proper orientation of the universal defibrillationelectrode pad on the subject, applying the universal defibrillationelectrode pad to the subject in the proper orientation, andadministering therapy to the subject using the universal defibrillationelectrode pad.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying a secondelectrode pad to the subject. The method may also further compriseelectrically coupling the universal defibrillation electrode pad and thesecond electrode pad to a defibrillator.

In some embodiments, determining the proper orientation of the universaldefibrillation electrode pad comprises determining an orientation of theuniversal defibrillation electrode pad from indicia of properorientation provided on the universal defibrillation electrode pad.

In some embodiments, administering therapy to the subject comprisesapplying chest compressions to the subject through a CPR administrationarea of the universal defibrillation electrode pad and in someembodiments, administering therapy to the subject comprises applying adefibrillation shock to the subject through an electrode of theuniversal defibrillation electrode pad.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises physically decouplingan electrode section of the defibrillation electrode pad from a CPRadministration section of the defibrillation electrode pad. Physicallydecoupling the electrode section of the defibrillation electrode padfrom the CPR administration section of the defibrillation electrode padmay comprise tearing a bridge of material which physically couples theelectrode section to the CPR administration section. Applying theuniversal defibrillation electrode pad to the subject may compriseseparately attaching the electrode section and the CPR administrationsection to the subject.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided defibrillationelectrode pad. The defibrillation electrode pad includes an electrodesection, a CPR administration section, means for providing an indicationof a proper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad on an adultsubject, and means for providing an indication of a proper orientationof the defibrillation electrode pad on a pediatric subject.

In some embodiments, the electrode section is mechanically coupled tothe CPR administration section by a bridge of material. The bridge ofmaterial may include a semi-rigid material configured to provide for theelectrode section and the CPR administration section to remain in afixed orientation relative to one another and separated by a fixeddistance from one another. The bridge of material may include adeformable material configured to provide for the relative orientationand distance between the electrode section and the CPR administrationsection to be varied. In other embodiments, the electrode section isphysically unconnected to the CPR administration section. The bridge ofmaterial may include one or more perforations configured to provide forthe electrode section to be detached from the CPR administration sectionby cutting or tearing along the one or more perforations.

In some embodiments, the means for providing the indication of theproper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad indicates thatthe proper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad on the adultsubject is inverted from the proper orientation of the defibrillationelectrode pad on the pediatric subject. The means for providing theindication of the proper orientation of the defibrillation electrode padmay include one of a visual indicator and a tactile indicator of theproper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad on a subject.

In some embodiments, the CPR administration section includes adisplacement sensor. The CPR administration section may further includea CPR assistance device configured to provide feedback regardingfrequency and/or depth of chest compressions applied to a subject onwhich the defibrillation electrode pad is disposed during theadministration of CPR to the subject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of a defibrillation electrode padapplied to an adult subject;

FIG. 2A is a drawing of the defibrillation electrode pad of FIG. 1applied to a pediatric subject;

FIG. 2B is a drawing of a second electrode pad applied to a pediatricsubject;

FIG. 2C is a drawing of another embodiment of a defibrillation electrodepad applied to a pediatric subject;

FIG. 2D is a drawing of an electrode and a CPR administration padapplied to a pediatric subject;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of labels included on embodiments of adefibrillation electrode pad; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventionis capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass theitems listed thereafter and equivalents thereof.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention include systems andmethods which may facilitate the use of a universal treatment pad fordefibrillation and/or administration of CPR to both adult and pediatricsubjects. The provision of a universal treatment pad for both adult andpediatric subjects may eliminate the need to provide multipledifferently sized treatment pads with a defibrillation apparatus for thetreatment of adult subjects and pediatric subjects. The provision of auniversal treatment pad may prevent errors associated with using aninappropriate treatment pad on a subject and locating a defibrillationelectrode and/or CPR treatment area of the treatment pad in positions onthe subject which are non-optimal for treatment of the subject.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a defibrillation electrode padassembly 100 placed on the body of an adult subject. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly 100 includes an electrode section 110 and a CPRadministration section 120. The electrode section 110 includes at leastone defibrillation electrode for delivering a defibrillation shock tothe subject from a defibrillator electrically coupled to the at leastone defibrillation electrode. The at least one defibrillation electrodemay, in some embodiments, be utilized to monitor ECG signals from thesubject when not being used for defibrillation. The CPR administrationsection 120 includes a region through which a first responder may applychest compressions to the subject. The CPR administration section 120may include legends to indicate proper placement of the CPRadministration section 120 on the subject and the proper placement ofthe heel of the first responder's hand for administration of CPR. Thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 may include at least oneelectrical connector 112 through which the electrode section 110 may becoupled to an external device, for example, a monitor or defibrillatorand/or through which the CPR administration section 120 may beelectrically coupled to an external CPR administration monitor/feedbackdevice. It should be appreciated that is some embodiments, only a singleelectrical connector 112 may be provided for coupling the electrodesection 110 and the CPR administration section 120 to an externaldevice.

In some embodiments, the CPR administration section 120 may include adisplacement sensor 130, for example, as described in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/313,772 which is incorporated herein byreference. The displacement sensor 130, which may include anaccelerometer, may be utilized to monitor the frequency and/or depth ofCPR compressions and provide this information to a system which mayprovide feedback to the first responder to alter the frequency and/ordepth of chest compressions as necessary to achieve a desirable CPRadministration routine. A CPR assistance device, for example, thePocketCPR® CPR assistance device available from ZOLL Medical Corporationor one of the CPR assistance devices disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.7,245,974, 8,096,962, 6,390,996, 6,782,293, 7,108,665, 7,118,542, and7,122,014 may be used to facilitate the administration of CPR throughthe CPR administration section 120 and/or may be incorporated into theCPR administration section 120. One or both of the electrode section 110and CPR administration section 120 may further include one or moremonitoring or pacing electrodes and/or a pulse oximetry or perfusionmonitor as also described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/313,772. Defibrillation electrode(s) in the electrode section 110may, in some embodiments, be utilized to monitor ECG signals from thesubject when not being used for defibrillation.

In FIG. 1, the electrode section 110 is located in an apex position ofthe chest of the adult subject. A defibrillation electrode located inthe apex position as illustrated may be utilized with a second electrodepatch 140 coupled to the subject on a lateral position of the thorax ofthe subject as illustrated to deliver defibrillation shocks to thesubject. The second electrode patch 140 includes at least onedefibrillation electrode and may also include monitoring and/or pacingelectrodes, ECG monitoring electrodes, and/or pulse oximetry or othersubject status monitors. In some embodiments, one or more electrodes inthe second electrode patch 140 may be used for multiple purposes, forexample, for both defibrillation and ECG monitoring. The CPRadministration section 120 is positioned over the sternum of thesubject, which is a desirable location at which to administer chestcompressions during the performance of CPR. The relative locations ofthe electrode section 110 and the CPR administration section 120 in thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 provide for both of thesesections 110, 120 to be located at desirable positions on the subject.

The relative locations of the electrode section 110 and the CPRadministration section 120 in the defibrillation electrode pad assembly100 may not be conducive to locating the electrode section 110 in anapex position and the CPR administration section 120 on the sternum of asubject having a body size significantly different from the adultsubject illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, in a pediatric subject thedistance between the apex position and the subject's sternum may be lessthan the distance between the electrode section 110 and the CPRadministration section 120 in the defibrillation electrode pad assembly100.

However, a properly dimensioned defibrillation electrode pad assembly100 may be utilized for both adult and pediatric subjects. Positioningthe defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 in a first orientation mayprovide for the electrode section 110 and the CPR administration section120 of the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 to be located indesirable positions on an adult subject. Positioning the defibrillationelectrode pad assembly 100 in a second orientation may provide for theelectrode section 110 and the CPR administration section 120 of thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 to be located in desirablepositions on a pediatric subject.

FIG. 2A illustrates the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 ofFIG. 1 placed on a pediatric subject. The defibrillation electrode padassembly 100 has been rotated by about 180 degrees as compared to itsorientation on the adult subject in FIG. 1 to provide for properpositioning of the electrode section 110 and the CPR administrationsection 120 on the pediatric subject in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2A, the CPRadministration section 120 is located on the sternum of the subject,while the electrode section 110 is located on a lateral position on thethorax of the subject. Lateral positioning of the electrode section 110provides for an acceptable delivery of a defibrillation shock to thesubject when the second electrode patch 140 is located on the rear ofthe subject, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 may be properly oriented on asubject in orientations other than illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A. Forexample, the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 may be rotated byless than about 180 degrees as compared to its orientation on the adultsubject in FIG. 1 to properly position the electrode section 110 and theCPR administration section 120 on a smaller adult subject.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the electrode pad assembly 100 mayinclude an electrode section 110 and a CPR administration section 120which are separated by a set distance by a bridge of material 115. Insome embodiments, the bridge of material 115 may include anon-conductive material which may be a same or similar material as onewhich is used to cover an outer surface of the electrode section 110and/or CPR administration section 120. The bridge of material 115 may berigid or semi-rigid, for example, including a rigid or semi-rigidplastic sheet and/or metal sheet or wire, to provide for the electrodesection 110 and the CPR administration section 120 to remain in a fixedorientation relative to one another and/or separated by a fixed distancefrom one another. Alternatively, the bridge of material 115 may includea deformable material, for example, a sheet of fabric and/or polymericmaterial, which may provide for the relative orientation and/or distancebetween the electrode section 110 and the CPR administration section 120to be varied.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, the bridge of material115 may include one or more perforations 114 along ends of the bridge ofmaterial proximate the electrode section 110 and/or the CPRadministration section 120 and/or through a central portion of thebridge of material 115. The perforations 114 may also be in the form ofthinned portions of the bridge of material 115 or score lines in thebridge of material 115. These perforations 114 may provide for acaregiver or first responder to detach the electrode section 110 fromthe CPR administration section 120. It may be desirable to detach theelectrode section 110 from the CPR administration section 120 if thebridge of material 115 would otherwise maintain the electrode section110 and the CPR administration section 120 in relative orientationsand/or with a separation distance which would be inappropriate for aparticular subject. A caregiver or first responder can physicallydecouple the electrode section 110 from the CPR administration section120 by tearing the bridge of material 115 along one or more of theperforations 114 and place the electrode section 110 and the CPRadministration section 120 at appropriate locations on the subject orutilize only one of the electrode section 110 or the CPR administrationsection 120 while leaving the other unattached to the subject.

As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the bridge of material 115 may be omitted (orremoved along the perforations 114 of FIG. 2C) and the electrode section110 and the CPR administration section 120 may be physically separatedunconnected distinct elements. The electrode section 110 and the CPRadministration section 120 may be considered physically separated andunconnected even though they may be indirectly physically connected by,for example, one or more electrical conductors running between theelectrode section 110 and the CPR administration section 120 or betweenthe electrode section 110 and a therapy device, for example a monitor ordefibrillator, which is also electrically coupled to the CPRadministration section 120.

In some embodiments, the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 mayinclude markings or labels to help a first responder determine how toorient the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 on a subject. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 3, labels 150 a and 150 b may beprovided on a portion of the defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100,for example, the CPR administration section 120 and/or the electrodesection 110, with arrows indicating which portion of the CPRadministration section 120 should be positioned in an upward orientationfor an adult subject and for a child subject. The labels 150 a, 150 bmay include words such as “child” and “adult,” which may be provided inmultiple languages, and/or may include symbols or graphicalrepresentations, for example, an image of a child and/or an image of anadult, which may help a first responder determine how to orient thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 on a subject. Thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 may alternatively oradditionally include labels 150 a and 150 b having one or more raisedsymbols or characters to provide a tactile indication of the properorientation of the defibrillation electrode pad 100 on an adult and/orpediatric subject.

The defibrillation electrode pad assembly 100 and second electrode patch140 may be used with a number of different defibrillators, for example,any one of the many defibrillators or AEDs available from ZOLL MedicalCorporation. Aspects of the present invention are not limited to usewith any particular defibrillator.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method ofproviding treatment to a subject experiencing cardiac distress. Aflowchart of the method is provided in FIG. 4. In a first act of themethod (act 400), upon identifying a subject experiencing cardiacdistress, a first responder may summon emergency assistance and proceedto obtain a defibrillator, for example an AED, and a universaldefibrillation electrode pad. In some instances, the universaldefibrillation electrode pad may be included with the defibrillator, andin other instances the defibrillator and universal defibrillationelectrode pad may be obtained separately and/or from differentlocations.

In act 410, the first responder determines the proper orientation of theuniversal defibrillation electrode pad for the subject. Thedetermination of the proper orientation of the universal defibrillationelectrode pad may be informed by instructions included with theuniversal defibrillation electrode pad and/or by one or more markings onthe universal defibrillation electrode pad. The universal defibrillationelectrode pad may be oriented in a first orientation for an adultsubject and in a second orientation for a pediatric subject.

In act 420 the first responder applies the universal defibrillationelectrode pad to the subject in the determined orientation and alsoapplies any other additional electrode pads to the subject as needed. Inact 430, the first responder electrically couples the universaldefibrillation electrode pad and any other electrodes to thedefibrillator using, for example, cables and quick connectors which mayextend from the universal defibrillation electrode pad and otherelectrode(s). In some embodiments, act 430 may precede act 420 or act410, or may be eliminated, for example, when the universaldefibrillation electrode pad and any other electrodes are suppliedpre-coupled to a defibrillator. The first responder then performs CPR asneeded on the subject and may also defibrillate the subject as needed(act 440). The performance of CPR, for example, the frequency and/ordepth of chest compressions may be guided by feedback from a CPRassistance device applied to or included in the CPR administrationsection of the universal defibrillation electrode pad. The determinationof the need for defibrillation and the timing of the defibrillation mayin some instances be determined by the defibrillator.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications,and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Forexample, it is to be appreciated that any of the features of any of theembodiments disclosed herein may be combined or substituted for featuresof any other embodiment disclosed herein. Acts of the method disclosedmay be performed in alternate orders and one or more acts may be addedto or omitted from the method or substituted by one or more alternativeacts. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended tobe part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings areby way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A defibrillation electrode pad assemblycomprising: an electrode section including at least one defibrillationelectrode for delivering a defibrillation shock to a subject from adefibrillator electrically coupled to the at least one defibrillationelectrode; and a CPR administration section mechanically coupled to theelectrode section and including a region on which a responder may applychest compressions to the subject, wherein the CPR administrationsection is configured to be mechanically decoupled from the electrodesection; wherein the defibrillation electrode pad assembly is configuredfor use on an adult subject by placing the electrode section and the CPRadministration section in a first position relative to each other suchthat the CPR administration section is placed at a location appropriatefor the administration of chest compressions to the adult subject andthe electrode section is placed at a location appropriate for theadministration of the defibrillation shock to the adult subject; whereinthe defibrillation electrode pad assembly is configured for use on apediatric subject by placing the electrode section and the CPRadministration section in a second position relative to each other suchthat the CPR administration section is placed at location appropriatefor the administration of chest compressions to the pediatric subjectand the electrode section is placed at a location appropriate for theadministration of the defibrillation shock to the pediatric subject. 2.The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondposition is different than the first position.
 3. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the location appropriate forthe administration of a defibrillation shock to the adult subject is anapex position on the chest of the adult subject.
 4. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the location appropriate forthe administration of chest compressions to the adult subject is locatedabove the sternum of the adult subject.
 5. The defibrillation electrodepad assembly of claim 1, wherein the location appropriate for theadministration of chest compressions to the pediatric subject is locatedabove the sternum of the pediatric subject.
 6. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the CPR administrationsection is mechanically coupled to the electrode section by a bridge ofmaterial.
 7. The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 6,wherein the bridge of material comprises a weakened portion.
 8. Thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 7, wherein the weakenedportion comprises one of: one or more perforations; a thinned portion ofthe bridge material; or score lines formed in the bridge material. 9.The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the CPRadministration section includes a displacement sensor.
 10. Thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 9, wherein thedisplacement sensor comprises an accelerometer.
 11. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 9, wherein the CPR administrationsection includes a CPR assistance device configured to provide feedbackregarding frequency and/or depth of chest compressions applied to thesubject on which the defibrillation electrode pad assembly is disposedduring the administration of CPR to the subject.
 12. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 1, further comprising indicia of aproper positioning of the defibrillation electrode pad assembly for theadult subject and a proper positioning of the defibrillation electrodepad assembly for the pediatric subject.
 13. The defibrillation electrodepad assembly of claim 12, wherein the indicia is provided on a labelthat is provided on a portion of the defibrillation electrode padassembly.
 14. The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 12,wherein the indicia is provided as markings on a portion of thedefibrillation electrode pad assembly.
 15. The defibrillation electrodepad assembly of claim 12, wherein the markings are printed on a portionof the electrode section.
 16. The defibrillation electrode pad assemblyof claim 12, wherein the indicia comprises graphical representations ofthe proper positioning of the defibrillation electrode pad assembly forthe adult subject and the proper positioning of the defibrillationelectrode pad assembly for the pediatric subject.
 17. The defibrillationelectrode pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the first position of theelectrode section and the CPR administration section relative to eachother comprises a first orientation of the electrode section and the CPRadministration section, and the second position of the electrode sectionand the CPR administration section relative to each other comprises asecond orientation of the electrode section and the CPR administrationsection.
 18. The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 17,further comprising indicia of a proper orientation of the defibrillationelectrode pad assembly for the adult subject and a proper orientation ofthe defibrillation electrode pad assembly for the pediatric subject. 19.The defibrillation electrode pad assembly of claim 18, wherein theindicia comprises graphical representations of the proper orientation ofthe defibrillation electrode pad assembly for the adult subject and theproper orientation of the defibrillation electrode pad assembly for thepediatric subject.
 20. The defibrillation electrode pad assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the first orientation is rotated by approximately 180degrees from the second orientation.
 21. The defibrillation electrodepad assembly of claim 1, further comprising the defibrillator fordelivering the defibrillation shock to the subject via the at least onedefibrillation electrode.
 22. A defibrillation electrode systemcomprising: a defibrillator for delivering a defibrillation shock to asubject; a first defibrillation electrode pad comprising: an electrodesection including at least one defibrillation electrode for deliveringthe defibrillation shock to the subject from the defibrillatorelectrically coupled to the at least one defibrillation electrode; and aCPR administration section mechanically coupled to the electrode sectionand including a region on which a responder may apply chest compressionsto the subject, wherein the CPR administration section is configured tobe mechanically decoupled from the electrode section; and a seconddefibrillation electrode pad delivering the defibrillation shock to thesubject from the defibrillator, wherein the first defibrillationelectrode pad is configured for use on an adult subject by placing theelectrode section and the CPR administration section in a first positionrelative to each other such that the CPR administration section isplaced at a location appropriate for the administration of chestcompressions to the adult subject and the electrode section is placed ata location appropriate for the administration of the defibrillationshock to the adult subject; wherein the first defibrillation electrodepad is configured for use on a pediatric subject by placing theelectrode section and the CPR administration section in a secondposition relative to each other such that the CPR administration sectionis placed at a location appropriate for the administration of chestcompressions to the pediatric subject and the electrode section isplaced at a location appropriate for the administration of thedefibrillation shock to the pediatric subject.
 23. The defibrillationelectrode system of claim 22, wherein the second position is differentthan the first position.
 24. The defibrillation electrode system ofclaim 22, wherein the location appropriate for the administration ofchest compressions to the adult subject is located above the sternum ofthe adult subject, and the location appropriate for the administrationof chest compressions to the pediatric subject is located above thesternum of the pediatric subject.
 25. The defibrillation electrodesystem of claim 22, wherein the CPR administration section ismechanically coupled to the electrode section by a bridge of material.26. The defibrillation electrode system of claim 25, wherein the bridgeof material comprises a weakened portion.
 27. The defibrillationelectrode system of claim 26, wherein the weakened portion comprises oneof: one or more perforations; a thinned portion of the bridge material;or score lines formed in the bridge material.
 28. The defibrillationelectrode system of claim 22, wherein the CPR administration sectionincludes a displacement sensor.
 29. The defibrillation electrode padassembly of claim 28, wherein the displacement sensor comprises anaccelerometer.
 30. The defibrillation electrode system of claim 28,wherein the CPR administration section includes a CPR assistance deviceconfigured to provide feedback regarding frequency and/or depth of chestcompressions applied to the subject on which the first defibrillationelectrode pad is disposed during the administration of CPR to thesubject.
 31. The defibrillation electrode system of claim 22, furthercomprising indicia of a proper positioning of the first defibrillationelectrode pad for the adult subject and a proper positioning of thedefibrillation electrode pad for the pediatric subject.
 32. Thedefibrillation electrode system of claim 31, wherein the indicia isprovided on a label that is provided on a portion of the firstdefibrillation electrode pad.
 33. The defibrillation electrode system ofclaim 31, wherein the indicia is provided as markings on a portion ofthe first defibrillation electrode pad.
 34. The defibrillation electrodesystem of claim 31, wherein the indicia comprises graphicalrepresentations of the proper orientation of the first defibrillationelectrode pad for the adult subject and the proper orientation of thefirst defibrillation electrode pad for the pediatric subject.